CONSERVATIVE VS LIBERAL

I try not to put too much in the way of political discourse on this site, but there are a few things I am passionate about that I wish to share. Many of you won't agree with me, I am certain. Aren't we glad we live in the U.S.A. and have the freedom to express our opinions - and to disagree when we so desire? I just published the following on my personal blog, and thought I would post it here as well. Your comments are welcome, of course. 

Texas is a conservative state for the most part. The coming election is important, as we have a chance to again elect a female Governor in Wendy Davis. As she is considered a "liberal", I would like you to think about the following:

"WHEN DID 'LIBERAL' BECOME A DIRTY WORD?"

"..Jesus was the ultimate liberal progressive revolutionary of all history. The conservative religious and social structure that He defied hated and crucified Him. They examined His life

and did not like what they saw. He aligned Himself with the poor and the oppressed. He challenged the religious orthodoxy of His day. He advocated pacifism and loving our enemies. He liberated women and minorities from oppression. He healed on the Sabbath and forgave adulterers and prostitutes. He associated with drunks and other social outcasts. He rebuked the religious right of His day because they embraced the letter of the law instead of the Spirit. He loved sinners and called them to Himself. Jesus was the original Liberal. He was a progressive, and He was judged and hated for it. It was the self-righteous religionists that He rebuked and He called them hypocrites.." This is an excerpt from an article on The Christian Left blog written by Gary Vance, (a Christian evangelical minister): Wasn't Jesus A Liberal?

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Excerpt from Bishop John Shelby Spong's (a retired Bishop of the American Episcopal

(2006)

Church) Manifesto:

.."I do not debate any longer with members of the "Flat Earth Society" either. I do not debate with people who think we should treat epilepsy by casting demons out of the epileptic person; I do not waste time engaging those medical opinions that suggest that bleeding the patient might release the infection. I do not converse with people who think that Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans as punishment for the sin of being the birthplace of Ellen DeGeneres or that the terrorists hit the United States on 9/11 because we tolerated homosexual people, abortions, feminism or the American Civil Liberties Union. I am tired of being embarrassed by so much of my church's participation in causes that are quite unworthy of the Christ I serve or the God whose mystery and wonder I appreciate more each day. Indeed I feel the Christian Church should not only apologize, but do public penance for the way we have treated people of color, women, adherents of other religions and those we designated heretics, as well as gay and lesbian people."..

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Some of the words and actions of my fellow Christians make me ashamed. I am not the only one. I hope more of my LIBERAL friends will step up to the ballot box and change the face of this country. We no longer act like a "Nation Under God".

Proud to be called a liberal (I am in good company),

Marilyn

POPPING THEIR BUTTONS!

From The Ballinger Ledger, July 10, 2014

"Jerry and Nancy Baker are proud of a long line of military service by family members. Grandson Kendall Jones is leaving for duty in Afghanistan this month. He is stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and is an Army EOD. He is the son of Melissa and Bryan Jones of Ballinger.

Their son Rodger Baker is expected to be here visiting from

Rodger Baker

Stafford, Virginia. He is a 25-year veteran Navy EOD, having traveled the world and the United States. He will be retiring next spring.

Son Russ Baker served 16 years in the Army and Army Reserves. He is currently Veteran Outreach Coordinator at Angelo State University, assisting veterans with college education there.

Another grandson, Dusty Palmertree, 8-year veteran, is currently serving with the Navy in Bahrain. He is the son of Lynn DeLaCruz of Winters, Texas.

Dusty Palmertree    Kendall Jones     Russ Baker

Rodger's daughter Meghan Scott is married to a Navy Master at Arms doing harbor security at the Navy Base near Seattle, Washington."

NANCY said that Rodger visited Ballinger July 10-14. Kendall left for Afghanistan July 19th.

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JIM and Betty COWLISHAW spent time recently in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida with their daughter and her family. They wanted to be there for her award ceremony when she received a promotion in the Air Force. She was awarded the rank of Senior Master and Second in Command of the Medical Unit on Hurlburt Air Force Base in Okaloosa County, Florida. (I'm sorry, but JIMMY did not give me her name!) His son-in-law retired from the Air Force last October, and is currently attending medical school in Orlando, Florida. The couple's daughter holds several swimming records, and JIM thinks she might be Olympic material in a few years. Bet that makes Mom and Dad proud of all of them!

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I asked for some "Good Stuff" when I last posted on the blog. JIMMY and NANCY shared the above, and this is what DOTTIE BISHOP ROGERS had to say recently:

"Thank you again and again for all your work to keep us posted. If we live for another reunion, I will most certainly be there. Life is still good, so I have no news. By the way- you are right about $1.00 carload at the Horseshoe. I think as I wrote that gem I was thinking “naw, nothing was ever that cheap”, but wasn’t it a glorious time in our lives?

Are you doing well? I’d love to have a one on one with you someday. You inspire  us all. 

Love you bunches and give my love to all our classmates." 

Dottie

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CHARLES FIKES frequently shares email forwards with me. No news, but lots of forwards! I thought I would end this blog post with one he sent me recently that I think everyone will like. Some of the photos you probably have seen on the Internet, but put together on this YouTube video with "our song", Lost In The Fifties Tonight, it is truly a walk down memory lane. Turn those speakers up!

Until next time... Let the good stuff happen!

Peace and love,

Marilyn

P.S.

Like DOTTIE, I, too, would love to have a "one on one" with each of you!

DAVID BATTS OBITUARY

I published the last post a little prematurely, and got one important fact wrong. David graduated from the University of Texas. That was A&M's loss!

This obituary was obviously written by his daughter Amy. She adds a moving tribute to her dad at the end.

William David Batts, 89, died peacefully on Saturday, August 2, 2014, surrounded by family. Son of Bernard and Beulah Batts Sr., he was born on November 8, 1924 on the family farm south of Ballinger. He attended Dry Ridge School through the 7th grade and graduated from Ballinger High School in 1946. He served as president of the senior class and was a member of the band, football, and track teams. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Air Corps. He trained to be a pilot. He finished his training just as World War II ended. After the service he enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in June 1950.

He came back to Ballinger to farm with his Dad. He farmed about 600 acres until 1978. During that time he served on the board of directors of the Ballinger Co-op Gin and Elevator. His civic activities included a term as president of the Ballinger Jaycees. On February 10, 1962 he married Irene Piel. In 1968 they had a daughter named Amy. In addition to farming he sold real estate.

David cultivated many friendships around the state in his work with Petroleum Information/Dwight LLC. He was the southern area manager of map data accumulation. His duties included constructing county ownership maps and updating oil and gas lease information of those maps. Finding retirement didn’t suit him, he worked for the Boll Weevil Eradication Program and Dankworth Packing Company. David was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ballinger.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Wilbourn and BM Batts Jr., a sister Margaret Tucker, and his wife Irene.

He is survived by a sister, Betty Lou Batts Agnew; his daughter Amy; sister-in-law Janice Kurtz and Randall; brothers-in-law Gene Piel and Mary, Larry Piel and Glenda; nephews Gary Batts and Sue, Alan Batts and Linda, David Tucker, Gill Agnew, Sam Batts, Mac St. John and Bridgett, Jason Piel and Darci, Jeffrey Piel and Tymonee; nieces Lesa Agnew Kastler and Bill, Laura Jane Agnew and Hill Abel, Carrie Ramos and Isaac, Jessica Botsford and Evan, and Sherri St. John.

David was known for his quick wit and sense of humor and beloved by all who knew him. David was known by some nieces and nephews as “Uncle Puddin”. He always had his hugger out! He will be deeply missed by family and friends. 

Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, August 6, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. There will be a private family burial followed by a memorial service at 1:30 pm on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Kary Rawlings Fry officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the First Presbyterian Church in Ballinger, the Carnegie Library, or a favorite charity. The family would like to thank everyone who came by to visit and all the cards and phone calls. Also we would like to thank the staff at Ballinger Memorial Hospital for their exceptional care of David.

Words cannot express how much I will miss you Daddy! You are my angel now.

IRENE'S DAVID

I'm sure all of you remember this warm, friendly guy who was married to our late, beautiful IRENE PIEL BATTS. My first memories of him were when I was in high school and he was president of the Jaycees (do they still have those?) in Ballinger. I got to know him only after he and IRENE married in the early 60s. I recall how impressed I was when he and IRENE took ballroom dancing together in San Angelo. The Cha Cha was really big then, and I got them to demonstrate it to me in my living room in San Angelo. They were so cool!

Through the years, we stayed in touch as I moved around; we both had children; and I even visited from time to time at their home in Ballinger. David was always such a welcoming host, and the children liked him very much. I got to know David better in the 90s, as he and IRENE and I shared the same political leanings! We cussed and discussed what was going on in politics. I remember David bringing me a copy of a TIME magazine with an article on President Bill Clinton. Always plain-spoken, he was disgusted with Bill at that time and said to me, "If only he could learn to keep it in his pants!" I laughed out loud at that one.

When I moved to Ballinger in 2005, he, IRENE, and their precious daughter Amy (who inherited all the good qualities of her parents and more!) did a lot of painting on the little rent house I moved into. David, even with his beginning macular degeneration, built me a wonderful 7 ft. tall bookcase that I still use. 

The last time I talked to David, his sight was almost completely gone, but he still had an optimistic outlook on life. He said his daughter Amy was his personal angel. She took very good care of him every day after IRENE left us. I'm sure she is devastated by her loss of both parents. Please keep her in your prayers, and if possible, let her know we're thinking of her. Amy, my love to you.

I was hoping to find more information about David's early years, but the following is all I've got so far. It tells nothing about his education (I believe he was an A&M graduate), his military service (I think he was a pilot), or his wonderful, humorous personality. He was always "there" for friends or family -- doing whatever he could to help out. The two pictures below were taken at our 50th Class Reunion. As usual, he's seen working! Amy brought him to the 2012 Class Reunion, as I believe it helped them both feel closer to IRENE to be around folks who knew and loved her.

I will forward any more information I get on David.

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William David Batts, 89, of Ballinger, Texas passed away Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Ballinger
Memorial Hospital.

 (2007 Reunion)

(2007 Reunion)

He is survived by his daughter, Amy Batts of Ballinger; and a sister, Betty Batts Agnew of Austin.

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PAT SMITH MULLINS lost a brother, who was also GLENN SMITH's cousin. Our love and condolences go out to them as well.

Bobby James Smith, 83, of Ballinger, Texas passed away Sunday, August 3, 2014 at Elsie Gayer

Healthcare Center in San Angelo, Texas.

He was born July 17, 1931 in Ballinger to James Lee and Leora (Bowen) Smith. Bobby married Sharon Hampton on November 17, 1956. She preceded him in death January 27, 2013. For a total of 34 years, Bobby worked for the Texas Department of Transportation in San Angelo, Ozona, and Ballinger. He was a member of Ninth Street Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife; brother, Delbert Smith; and infant twins, Ricky Gale and Vicky Dale Smith; and a great-grandchild, Hank Smith.

He is survived by two sons, Quentin Alan Smith and wife, Teresa, of Burnet, and Gary Lee Smith and wife, Judy, of Austin; a daughter, Rhonda Kay Glover and husband, Chris, of San Angelo; sisters, Margie Hallmark of Ballinger, Jean Stewart of Cedar Hill, PAT MULLINS of Blanket; and a brother, Billy Wooten of Huntsville. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Blake Smith, Ryan Smith, Nathan Smith, Justin Smith, Rachael Smith, Daniella Smith, Natalie Glover, Garret Glover, and Elijah Samaniego: and four great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Walker, Paiton, and Lorabelle Smith.

Visitation for family and friends will be Tuesday, August 5 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at Lange Funeral Home. A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, August 6 at 10:00 am at Old Runnels Cemetery with a memorial service following at 11:00 am at Ninth Street Church of Christ in Ballinger. Max Pratt will officiate.

Memorial donations may be made to Rotary House of Hope or a favorite charity.

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Peace and love,

Marilyn

TOO YOUNG TO SAY GOODBYE

A tragic accident recently took the life of PEGGY VIRDEN SHARP'S niece as she was practicing barrel racing for the upcoming Coleman Rodeo. Those of you in Ballinger probably know of this talented young woman. Our love and condolences to PEGGY and her family.

Ashley Renee Virden, 17, of Ballinger died Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, TX (From the Lange Funeral Home site.)

Ashley was born April 19, 1997 in San Angelo, Texas to Nicole Boyd and Lynn Virden. Ashley was an incoming senior at Ballinger High School. Ashley was an avid horse rider, trainer, and barrel racer. Ashley’s sister Amy and her mother Nicole thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Ashley and watching her accomplish any goal she set. Ashley was an excellent student, earning straight A’s throughout her school career. 

Ashley was a member of the FCCLA, where her article about her horse “Lucky,” earned her both state and national honors. Ashley was a member of the FFA, where she participated on the horse judging team. She was an active member of the National Barrel Horse Association, Districts Eight and Nine, in which she qualified for the NBHA World Championships four times. In 2010 and 2011, Ashley qualified for the championships as a youth barrel racer, which was held in Jackson, Mississippi. In 2011, Ashley was injured during training for the NBHA Youth World Championships. Her doctor restricted her from any riding activities for six weeks. For most, this would have resulted in cancelling the trip to the championships. Ashley’s passion, courage and hard headed determination prevailed, and Ashley not only continued to train, she participated in the championships and narrowly missed qualifying for the world final round by thirteen one-thousandths of a second.

The only year that Ashley participated in NBHA barrel racing and did not qualify for the world championship was in 2012. In late 2011, Ashley lost her best friend and prize horse, “Lucky.” Devastated by the loss of Lucky and left without a horse that could perform at a similar level, Ashley was unable to obtain enough points to qualify for the championship.

In 2013, the determined, hard-headed Ashley armed with her new mount “Sherbert” and old, reliable, “Sippy” qualified in the NBHA World Championship Open Barrel Racing in Perry, Georgia, which is open to riders of any age or experience level. Three days prior to leaving for the world championships, tragedy struck again. Robert Virden, Ashley’s Pa-Pa, was involved in a serious traffic accident in which he was critically injured. Ashley was torn between the desire either to stay home and support her Pa-Pa in his recovery, or participating in the world championship barrel race that she had worked all year to attend. Ashley’s burning passion, courage, and determination to compete told her that she needed to attend the world championship. But Ashley would not consider going until she knew her Pa-Pa would be o.k. Once Ashley received confirmation that Pa-Pa would completely recover from the accident, and his blessing was given, she was determined to go and do what she does best. That year, Ashley narrowly missed qualifying for the final round by eight one-thousandths of a second.

In 2014, Ashley returned to the NBHA World Championship in Perry, Georgia. For this trip, Ashley participated in the Teen Division and qualified for the prestigious final round, riding Sippy. Ashley and old faithful accomplished the goal that had eluded them in previous years. Ashley finished sixth in the fourth division of the world championships. The 2014 World Championships ended just last Sunday.

Ashley was a member of the Bethel Community Church in Bethel, TX, located in southern Runnels County. Ashley was recognized by many for her honesty, sincerity, integrity, and her strong Christian faith.

She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandparents, John and Dorothy Nichols; maternal grandfather, Bill Minton, Jr.; and great-grandfather Bill Minton, Sr.; her great-grandparents Rube and Naomi Virden and Roscoe Woodring.

Survivors include her mother, Nicole Boyd and husband Ray of San Angelo, her father, Lynn Virden of Ballinger, one sister, Amy Lynn Virden of Indianapolis, Indiana, her maternal grandparents, Sheila and Harold Combs of Oklahoma, her paternal grandparents, Robert and Bonnie Virden of Ballinger, her maternal great-grandmother, Fern Woodring of Kokomo, Indiana, special cousins, Shayne and Terri Bomar of Odessa, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Also surviving are special friends, Hadley Hatler, Ethan Langston, Emma Chapman, and Danielle Holmes. Ashley and Lucky have been reunited and are turning the golden barrels across Heaven. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 3:00-5:00 pm Sunday, August 3 at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Funeral services for will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, August 4 in the Ballinger Community Center Show Barn with Rev. Bryan Highsmith officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Runnels Cemetery. A candlelight service will be held Monday, August 4 at 9:00 pm at Ballinger Community Center Show Barn.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the NBHA, District 9, the Ashley Virden Memorial Scholarship Fund, or a favorite charity.

Ashley is in heaven taking selfies of her and Lucky.